R.A.F. 49 The Scout Group ... 50 Venture Scout Unit ... 50 The Scout Troop

meetings, the question of the venue of the Easter camp arose. Mr. Duncan thought that 'Coniston presented the facilities that were required for climbing and canoeing; finally it was agreed that this would be the base camp.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

It is true to say that the Venture Scouts can be proud of themselves for their look ahead and adventurous attitude: the arranging of a dance in the Scout Hut and the work on glass-fibre canoes are the most outstanding activities achieved. The dance (the first to be held in the school) was the achievement of all who put so much into the preparations of decorations and buffet. The fibre-glass canoes, the first of their kind in York, were making rapid progress. To date, two have been taken off the mould, and all those people who have spent many tiring, anxious, yet rewarding hours working on them are awaiting their launching.

The cooking lessons have progressed well; the successful cakes, pies and curries being devoured by the rest of the group on their return. We must again thank Mr. Dixon for a very informative talk on the maintenance of cars. Although the climbing group does not have the publicity of some of the other events, it has been very active; two expeditions were arranged by Mr. Duncan, a weekend to Pen-y-gent, where conditions unfortunately were not very good; the other being to Wain Stones. We would very much like to thank Mr. Vernon for his help on this day's activity. We must not forget Mr. Hirst who led a rope at Pen-y-gent and who on two other occasions has taken some of us out on Sundays.

A.G.S.

THE SCOUT TROOP

With the departure of the elder members to the Venture Scout Unit, it was found necessary to reorganise the troop at the beginning of the term. Rounthwaite, a Patrol Leader of last term, became the Senior Patrol Leader; the others being Fisher G. V., Fisher T. and Hepworth.

About halfway through the term Mr. Craine was rushed off to hospital for an appendix operation and Mr. Coulthard took over. Training was continued throughout the term: the Scout Standard instructed by the P.L.s and the Advanced Scout Award by Mr. Coulthard and Mr. Allen.

There were two trips into town: one as an observation test in Goodramgate and the other map making, each patrol taking a small area of the city and making a small sketch map. Perhaps the climax of the term was an exercise on the Ings three weeks before the end of the term. Four routes were laid with compass bearings and pacings for the patrols to follow. All four goals were eventually reached and bars of chocolate provided a suitable reward at the end.

Altogether this has been a most successful term with the majority of the activities being run by the Scouts themselves.

At the end of the Summer Term camp will be held near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, from Tuesday, 16th July until Wednesday, 24th July. Further details will be sent out during the Summer Term.

OUT AND ABOUT

EURIPIDES' HIPPOLYTUS CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE, FEBRUARY, 1968

On 13th February Mr. Duncan took a party of classicists in the School bus to Cambridge University's production of the "Hippolytus" of Euripides at the Arts Theatre. The Party spent the night in an old, but pleasant, Youth Hostel in Saffron Walden, a small town outside Cambridge, which boasts twenty-two public houses.

The next morning the party met Mr. Croft and the Headmaster in Cambridge and spent a worthwhile few hours visiting places of interest in the old University town. After lunch the eager group went immediately to the Arts Theatre for the play.

The Cambridge Greek Play Committee has produced plays in their original language since 1882—(the Headmaster himself had a leading role in the Frogs of 1947)—and this production was particularly memorable for its fine choral singing and dancing and the three major characters, Hippolytus, Theseus and Phaedra. The rocky set, the authentic costumes and effective dramatisation all combined to make an evocative, inspiring production.

The popularity of such Greek plays was shown by the large number of schoolchildren in the audience, and it is hoped similar outings will be arranged in the future. J.R.L.

VENTURE SCOUT NOTES: EASTER CAMP

Unlike previous Easter Camps this was static, with its base at Coniston : the plan was that we should go off daily on climbing and canoeing expeditions. The weather however made this impossible; conditions, to say the least, could not have been worse. Over the week the group endured rain, snow, ice, gales and finally sunshine.

After a gruelling journey in our newly purchased mini-bus, which, incidentally, was running on only three cylinders, we were welcomed by rain and a somewhat damp and spongy camp-site situated near the lake. This later proved to be a good spot.

The first morning was spent in Ambleside buying extra equipment, which was soon to show its worth. Our bus had little prospects of staying on the road; after consultations with mechanics it was decided that it should be repaired in Coniston. However this was not to be; because of unfavourable conditions we had to keep it to cook and shelter in. The afternoon was spent in walking back to Coniston over the fells, the climbers enjoying a few scrambles on the way. Sunday brought us a cold, misty morning, and after much deliberation we decided to climb Harter Fell. The ascent took us through pine trees and rock; on the top the weather-beaten group found boulders to shelter behind, away from the gale and rain, and ate their lunch. An early descent was then made. The rain continued on Monday so the day was spent in Keswick; the bus seemed to be running extremely well on three cylinders.

On rising on Tuesday we were confronted by a marvellous view, all the surrounding mountains being covered by snow. It was agreed to climb Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam, on the Coniston Range. We split into two groups, one being led by Cantrell, with Mr. Duncan as his second, the other by Scott. The idea was to start at different ends of the range and cross over in the middle. Each group was prepared for the worst, carrying all emergency needs, as well as nylon rope, slings, ice axe and radio. On setting out the weather seemed settled, yet by two o'clock both groups had been hit by blizzards at about 2,000 ft. In addition radio contact had also been lost. Both climbs had to be abandoned, and the two groups finally

met up in Coniston about 4.00 p.m.

On Wednesday the party split up again, five accompanying Mr. Duncan on a canoeing expedition across Coniston to Peel Island; the others Buckman, Warnock and Scott tried their hand at some climbing: some good pitches were found near Tarn Hawes and here they spent the day.

The two day expedition, after much discussion, was made to the Scafell Range. Some time was spent in Eskdale, after a long bus ride, getting tanked up and also visiting the Outward Bound School. The bus was left at the bottom of Hardknott Pass and the party climbed to 1,600 ft. and camped under Cam Spout. The big ascent was begun at 9.30 on Friday, and we reached the summit of 'Scafell Pike by a steep, icy climb, about midday. On descending we struck camp and returned to Coniston, where Mrs. Duncan had prepared us dinner.

The bus made a remarkable trip back to York, probably because of the lighter load. No-one really expected the bus, which had had to be pushed up most of the hills encountered in the Lake District, to endure the long journey back. But it did, and we are all busy now repairing it for summer, hoping to do something similar, as this was such a huge success. A. G. S .

THE WALKING CLUB

Despite the untimely intervention of Athletics towards the end of term, the Walking Club—as we like it to be known—has been able to enjoy many varied walks during the comparatively short time available to us. In marked contrast to last term, when foot and mouth disease restricted our movements so much that walking almost came to a standstill, we have visited a large number of areas in an equally wide range of weather conditions. Snow walks have been as popular a feature of the term's activities as ever, but perhaps the most widely enjoyed afternoon was the one spent near Kirby Knowle, when, despite the occasional brief snow shower, spring was clearly in the air for the first time. We have been fortunate in having an approved (?) driver of the School bus in the Club, and Mr. Coulthard has this term been ably assisted by Mr. Wise, whilst two student masters, Messrs. Stimpson and Jackson, have made welcome appearances on a number of walks. All in all, an enjoyable term's walking, marred only by the fact that perhaps the group had of late been allowed to grow too large to preserve the remarkable enthusiasm which, until lately, typified the Club. It is to be hoped that measures will be taken to offset any possible decline in the high standards that the Club has set itself in the past. I.M.M.